added to that: during the Tour (Bora teamchef) Ralph Denk was quoted in German media, saying that a new contract would pretty much be a formality, and that he "would be very happy to see it happen". What happened there, that it didn't work out in the end? And how did wearing the mountain jersey in the Tour de France rise the interest from other teams, and how quickly are things like that forgotten again when it comes to contract negotiations? Looking back at it now, do you regret not fixing a contract right then (in case there were any offers)?

And furthermore, we have seen more and more cyclists signing for teams from (very) non-traditional cycling countries, like Stefan Schumacher and Björn Thurau, who recently found a job at Kuwait-Cartucho.es. What do you think about it, and would you see an opportunity like that as an option for yourself, as a last resort?